Marianne Koberwein

What people wore

Inherited silk festive clothing of wealthy families

Merchant and wealthy peasant women cherished festive clothing made from thick silk fabrics like satin and brocade, which were passed down through generations. These colorful, expensive garments were often adorned with large, bright floral patterns that reflected a blend of European trends and traditional folk art.

Getting around

River crossings and ferry delays

Travel was often interrupted by river crossings, where passengers and carriages relied on slow ferries, leading to significant delays and occasional hazards like the loss of cargo or baggage.

At the table

Daily Sour Cabbage Soup

Shchi, a soup made from sour cabbage, onions, and beef or mutton, was a daily meal, often served with sour cream on non-fasting days.

Music

Traditional communal dances and instruments

Russian peasants performed the khorovod, a communal round dance, to traditional songs without instrumental accompaniment in many northern regions. In the south, these dances were often accompanied by instruments like the zhaleika pipe, kugikly pan-flutes, or the rozhok horn.

Daily life

Peasant hygiene and living conditions

Peasant life included poor hygiene, as families often shared a single dirty cloth for two weeks to wipe their hands, faces, and kitchenware. In winter, young livestock were sometimes kept inside the peasant cabin, which, combined with smoky air, negatively affected living conditions and health.

What it cost

Food prices in St. Petersburg

In 1793, a pound of beef cost 9 kopecks in St. Petersburg, while a pair of chickens cost 80 kopecks.